Eli Lilly still chopping positions – Eli Lilly and Co. plans to cut 200 sales and marketing support jobs Friday in its U.S. biomedicine group, with more than half of those cuts taking place in Indianapolis, a company spokesman confirmed Thursday. The cuts are the latest wave of the drugmaker’s previously announced plans to chop 5,500 jobs worldwide by the end of 2011 in response to financial pressures…more

Bayer gets new type of contraceptive approved – The Food and Drug Administration approved Natazia, which is the first in the U.S. to deliver doses of its two female hormones at four times during the drug’s 28-day treatment cycle, the agency said today in a statement…more. But then, what about that mystery recall of Yaz last year – who knew??

I don’t know, Mr Harper (Forbes) – isn’t it more accurate to say that an application has been rejected, rather than that a drug has been rejected, when a Complete Response Letter is issued? The semantics are important.

Coming up on May 11th:BDI’s Social Communications & Healthcare event – half day session in NYC with Case Studies and Roundtables (I’ll be leading one of the roundtables). Top speakers from J&J, Pfizer, and more! These are always great networking and learning events. Hope to see you there!

For more information, including registration, please click here to visit the event website. Use promo code IMPACT for a discounted rate of $155.

Alpharma/King to pay big fine – American pharmaceutical manufacturer Alpharma Inc. has agreed to pay $42.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations in connection with the marketing of the morphine-based drug, Kadian, the Justice Department announced today. The settlement resolves allegations that, between January 1, 2000 and December 29, 2008, Alpharma paid health care providers to induce them to promote or prescribe Kadian, and made misrepresentations about the safety and efficacy of the drug, which is used to treat chronic moderate to severe pain. Alpharma is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol, Tenn.-based King Pharmaceuticals Inc…more

Don’t go buying Lilly drugs on the street corner – In a departure from the recent M.O. of in-transit drug cargo thefts, emboldened thieves hit Eli Lilly’s 70,000-square-foot east coast distribution facility in Enfield, CT. And they hit it hard: $70 million to $75 million worth of Prozac, Cymbalta and Zyprexa–enough to fill a large trailer, according to press reports…more

The interesting background story on new drug Xiaflex (NY Times) – It took half a century. But a tiny drug maker on Long Island has finally found a potentially lucrative use for its only medicine: straightening clenched fingers. And, if research proves successful, treating a condition that causes bent penises…more

Big approval news for Gilead Sciences – Gilead Sciences Inc., the world’s largest maker of HIV treatments, won U.S. approval of an inhaled antibiotic for lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The Food and Drug Administration cleared sales of the medicine, given the brand name Cayston, the company said today in a statement. Outside advisers to the FDA backed the product’s safety and effectiveness in a 15-2 vote on Dec. 10…more

What is the future of “personalized medicine”? Probably, it’ll look a lot like this (encouraging story from NY Times). Plus, in a cooperative effort, Eli Lilly, Merck and Pfizer have formed an independent, not-for-profit company Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG) to accelerate research and ultimately improve treatment for patients affected with the most commonly-diagnosed cancers in Asia…more

Marketing Training – Looking for resources for training brand marketing professionals? We know the providers you need. Contact us (stevew at impactiviti dot com, or phone at 973-947-7429) for vendor recommendations.

Some of the top-selling drugs in industry history will become history as patent protections expire, allowing generics to rush in at much-lower prices. Generic competition is expected to wipe $67 billion from top companies’ annual U.S. sales between 2007 and 2012 as more than three dozen drugs lose patent protection. That is roughly half of the companies’ combined 2007 U.S. sales.

At the same time, the industry’s science engine has stalled. The century-old approach of finding chemicals to treat diseases is producing fewer and fewer drugs. Especially lacking are new blockbusters to replace old ones like Lipitor, Plavix and Zyprexa.

The coming sales decline may signal the end of a once-revered way of doing business. “I think the industry is doomed if we don’t change,” says Sidney Taurel, chairman of Eli Lilly & Co. Just yesterday, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. announced plans to cut 10% of its work force, or about 4,300 jobs, and close or sell about half of its 27 manufacturing plants by 2010…more

(the article goes on to explain the threat of patent expirations, the dearth of great pipeline drug candidates, etc.

In a related note to the last paragraph above, the Bristol-Myers press release regarding their re-org/right-sizing is an absolute classic of biz speak. The link to the full article, which is really almost a self-parody, is here…below are a few choice quotes:

(Headline): Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Outlines Strategy and Productivity Transformation Initiative During Update to Investment Community(always tremble when you read words like this – it inevitably means layoffs!)

The company is seeking opportunities to maximize the value of its Health Care Group companies for shareholders. Consistent with this objective, the company plans to divest its Medical Imaging business. Further, the company is currently reviewing a range of strategic alternatives for its ConvaTec and Mead Johnson businesses. “We remain fully aware of the important contributions these businesses have made to earnings and cash flow, and we will take these factors into full consideration when weighing our strategic options,” said James M. Cornelius, chief executive officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb…

In addition to its overview of the company’s strategy, senior management will discuss the scope and details of its Productivity Transformation Initiative, the company’s first step to achieve a culture of continuous improvement which was begun earlier this year. Over 300 initiatives have been identified that will enhance the company’s efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness and substantially improve its cost base….

Some positions have been eliminated in 2007 and the substantial majority of positions will be eliminated in 2008 and 2009. “It is difficult to see our valued colleagues leave the company, but right-sizing our workforce across all areas is critical to achieving our productivity goals and enhancing the competitive position of the company. While we are reducing headcount in certain functions, we will continue to invest in R&D, biologics and commercialization talent,” said Mr. Cornelius…

…and, the best sentence of all: Key productivity initiatives include reducing general and administrative operations by simplifying, standardizing and outsourcing, where appropriate, processes and services, rationalizing the company’s mature brands portfolio, consolidating its global manufacturing network while eliminating complexity and enhancing profitability, simplifying its geographic footprint and implementing a more efficient go-to-market model.

Welcome!

Steve Woodruff
President, Impactiviti

Testimonials

“Steve Woodruff is one of the most “networked” people I’ve found in pharmaceutical training. His communications are always smart and targeted, and I value his professional partnership.” -Jennifer Zinn, Director, Worldwide Marketing, Clinical Laboratory, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics